Acoustic receivers with multiple diaphragms

ABSTRACT

Sound-producing acoustic receivers are disclosed. The acoustic receiver includes a receiver housing with a first internal volume and a second internal volume, a first diaphragm separating the first internal volume into a first front volume and a first back volume such that the first front volume has a first sound outlet port, a second diaphragm separating the second internal volume into a second front volume and a second back volume such that the second front volume has a second sound outlet port, a motor disposed at least partially inside the housing such that the motor including an armature mechanically coupled to both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, an acoustic seal between the first front volume and the second back volume such that the acoustic seal accommodates the mechanical coupling of the armature to one of the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application for patent entitled to a filing dateand claiming the benefit of earlier-filed U.S. patent application Ser.No. 17/134,307, filed Dec. 26, 2020, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/955,318, filed Dec. 30, 2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to acoustic devices and morespecifically to balanced armature acoustic receivers with multiplediaphragms.

BACKGROUND

Acoustic devices including a balanced armature receiver that converts anelectrical input signal to an acoustic output signal characterized by avarying sound pressure level (SPL) are generally known. Such acousticdevices may be integrated in hearing aids, headsets, hearables, or earbuds among other hearing devices worn by a user. The receiver generallyincludes a motor and a coil to which an electrical excitation signal isapplied. The coil is disposed about a portion of an armature (also knownas a reed), a movable portion of which is disposed in equipoise betweenmagnets, which are typically retained by a yoke. Application of theexcitation or input signal to the receiver coil modulates the magneticfield, causing deflection of the reed between the magnets. Thedeflecting reed is linked to a movable portion of a diaphragm disposedwithin a partially enclosed receiver housing, wherein movement of thepaddle forces air through a sound outlet or port of the housing.

As the size of sound-producing acoustic devices like balanced armaturereceivers are reduced to accommodate increasingly smaller spaceallocations in host hearing devices, so too does the sound outputproduced by such acoustic devices. Thus there is a need to improveoutput in balanced armature receivers without substantially increasingits size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will bemore apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon considerationof the following Detailed Description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver according toan embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver according toan embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver according toan embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver according toan embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver according toan embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver according toan embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows perspective view of a portion of the acoustic receiver ofFIG. 6 from a different angle for clarity;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver according toan embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the acousticreceiver of FIG. 8 from a different angle;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the acoustic receiver of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of the acoustic receiver of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 shows a detailed view of the acoustic receiver of FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiveraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiveraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiveraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiveraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiveraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of an acoustic receiver accordingto an embodiment.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in thefigures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity. It will be furtherappreciated that certain actions or steps may be described or depictedin a particular order of occurrence while those of ordinary skill in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required unless a particular order is specificallyindicated. It will also be understood that the terms and expressionsused herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms andexpressions with respect to their corresponding respective fields ofinquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been setforth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure pertains to sound-producing acoustic receivers(also referred to herein as “receivers”) for use in hearing devices,like behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC) andreceiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. Such receivers may also be used inheadsets, wired or wireless earbuds or earpieces, or in some otherhearing device that extends into, on or may be placed in close proximityto a user's ear.

The present disclosure pertains to sound-producing balanced armatureacoustic receivers having multiple diaphragms. In certainimplementations, the sound-producing acoustic receivers have multipleinternal volumes defined by a housing, each of which is separated into afront volume and a back volume by a diaphragm. In some examples, theacoustic receiver has a motor disposed at least partially inside thehousing, where the motor includes an armature that is mechanicallycoupled to the diaphragms. Also, an acoustic seal acoustically separatesone of the front volumes from one of the back volumes whileaccommodating the mechanical coupling of the armature to one of thediaphragms. The acoustic receiver also includes, for each of the frontvolumes, a sound outlet port acoustically coupled to the front volume.

The receiver is configured in one of numerous different implementations.The receivers generally have at least two internal volumes (a firstinternal volume and second internal volume) separated by a wall portionof the housing, with a corresponding diaphragm separating each internalvolume into corresponding front and back volumes. Both the wall andacoustic seal are located between the first front volume of the firstinternal volume and the second back volume of the second internalvolume. Furthermore, the armature is coupled to the first or seconddiaphragm by a link extendable through an opening in the wall portion.Generally all of the receivers are implemented such that an acousticimpedance of the acoustic seal is greater than an acoustic impedance ofthe first sound outlet port over a range of human detectablefrequencies.

In some embodiments, the acoustic seal is a flexible film that extendsat least partially across the opening of the wall portion, with the linkextending through the film. In some other embodiments, the acoustic sealcomprises a gel that at least partially obstructs the opening of thewall portion, with the link extending through the gel. In some otherembodiments, the acoustic seal comprises a ferrofluid that at leastpartially obstructs the opening of the wall portion, with the linkextending through the ferrofluid. Other embodiments implement theacoustic seal as a tubular flexible film coupled to the wall portion andto the first or second diaphragm to which the link is coupled, such thatthe tubular flexible film aligns with the opening in the wall portionand the link extends through the tubular flexible film. In otherembodiments, the acoustic seal comprises an unobstructed portion of theopening between the wall portion and the link.

In some embodiments where the flexible film is used as the acousticseal, the flexible film is a substantially planar and resilientmaterial. In other embodiments, the flexible film has a formed fold. Insome embodiments, the flexible film is coupled to both the wall portionand to the link. In embodiments where the flexible film is coupled tothe link, the link extends through the flexible film and adheres to theflexible film and to the diaphragm. In other embodiments where theflexible film is coupled to the link, the link is coupled to theflexible film without extending through the flexible film, and theflexible film is coupled to the diaphragm such that the flexible film isdisposed between the link and the diaphragm.

In some embodiments, the first back volume is acoustically coupled tothe second back volume. In other embodiments, one or both back volumesare vented to the atmosphere. In embodiments where the back volume issufficiently large, venting to the atmosphere or to another back volumeis may not be required. In some other embodiments, the sound outlet portof the first front volume is acoustically coupled to the second frontvolume.

The location of the motor also varies in different embodiments. In someembodiments, shown for example in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the motor is locatedin the first back volume, such that the first front volume is locatedbetween the first back volume and the second back volume. In some otherembodiments, shown for example in FIGS. 1, 6, 10-11 and 20, the motor isinstead located in the second back volume, such that the second backvolume is located between the first front volume and the second frontvolume. In yet other embodiments, shown for example in FIG. 4, the motoris instead located in the second front volume, such that the second backvolume is located between the first front volume and the second frontvolume. In yet other embodiments, shown for example in FIG. 8, the motoris located in the first front volume, such that the first front volumeis located between the first back volume and the second back volume. Inother embodiments, the motor is partially in more than one internalvolume; such embodiments include configurations where the armature formspart of the diaphragm assembly, among other configurations.

In one implementation, the housing of the receiver has a third internalvolume in addition to the first and second internal volumes. Thus, thereceiver also has a third diaphragm that separates the third internalvolume into a third front volume and a third back volume along with thearmature being mechanically coupled to the third diaphragm.

In embodiments including a third diaphragm in a third internal volume,the receiver also has a second acoustic seal (in addition to theacoustic seal as previously mentioned) to accommodate the mechanicalcoupling of the reed to the third diaphragm. In some receivers havingthree diaphragms, shown for example in FIG. 3, the second acoustic sealis located between the second front volume and the third back volume. Inother receivers having a third diaphragm, shown for example in FIGS. 9and 20, the second acoustical seal is located between the third frontvolume and the first back volume.

Details regarding the receiver will be disclosed below in furtherdetails, with embodiments provided as nonlimiting examples of thedifferent configurations and embodiments provided herein.

FIGS. 1-14 and 20 show examples of a balanced armature receiver 100 thathas two sets of internal volumes within the housing 102: a firstinternal volume 104 and a second internal volume 106. A first diaphragm108 separates a first front volume 110 from a first back volume 112 inthe first internal volume 104. A second diaphragm 116 separates thesecond internal volume 106 into a second front volume 118 and a secondback volume 120. An armature 126 included in a motor 124 is coupled tothe first diaphragm 108 or to the second diaphragm 116 by a link 132which extends through the opening 134 in the wall portion 130. In someexamples, the first front volume 110 is acoustically coupled with afirst sound outlet port 114, and the second front volume 110 isacoustically coupled with a second sound outlet port 122.

In FIGS. 3, 8, and 20, a third internal volume 300 is included, suchthat a third diaphragm 302 separates the third internal volume 300 intoa third front volume 304 and a third back volume 306. According tovarious embodiments disclosed herein, some of the front and back volumesare acoustically sealed from each other via one or more acoustic seals(for example, acoustic seals 128 and 308) that are placed in the wallportion(s) separating them, while some of the back volumes 112, 120, and306 are acoustically coupled with each other in order to provideadditional internal volume to allow more flexibility in the movement ofthe armatures, thereby improving quality of the acoustic output from thereceiver, such as the bass output of the receiver.

FIGS. 1-4, 8-9, 11-16 and 19-20 show examples of a balanced armaturereceiver 100 that uses a flexible film 136 extending at least partiallyacross an opening 134 of a wall portion 130 that separates the firstfront volume 110 from the second back volume 120, according toembodiments as disclosed herein. The flexible film 136 is made of anysuitable material such as urethane or other polymers and forms anacoustic seal 128 between the first front volume 110 and the second backvolume 120. The acoustic seal provided by the film or otherimplementation described herein is characterized by an acousticimpedance that is greater than an acoustic impedance of a sound outletport over a range of human detectable frequencies. Generally, any of thereceivers described herein can use any of the acoustic seals, or acombination of flexible film acoustic seals, described herein.

In FIGS. 1-4, 11-14, 16, and 20, the flexible film 136 has a formed fold138 that flexibly allows the film 136 to move in response to themovement of the link 132 while maintaining the acoustic seal 128 betweenthe first front volume 110 and the second back volume 120. In FIG. 8,the fold 138 is not present in the first acoustic seal 128 but rather ina second acoustic seal 308, and a second link 146 extends through thesecond acoustic seal 308 to adhere to the first diaphragm 108 as well asa third diaphragm 302, as further explained herein. In some examples,one or more of the links 132 and 146 includes a resonator 148 thatalters the acoustic frequency response of the balanced armature oversome range of frequencies. In FIGS. 1-4, 8, 11-14 and 20, the link 132extends through the flexible film 128 and adheres to both the film 136and the first diaphragm 108.

The second acoustic seal 308 is shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 20, or anysuitable example with three sets of internal volumes, for example theinternal volumes 104, 106, and 300. To accommodate the mechanicalcoupling of the armature 126 to the third diaphragm 302, the secondacoustic seal 308 is disposed between two volumes according to variousembodiments. In FIG. 3, for example, the second acoustic seal 308 islocated between the second front volume 118 and the third back volume306, whereas in FIGS. 8 and 20 the second acoustic seal 308 is locatedbetween the third front volume 304 and the first back volume 112 inFIGS. 8 and 20.

In FIGS. 1-4, 8-9, 11-16, and 20, the flexible film 136 is coupled toboth the wall portion 130 and the link 132. In FIGS. 8-9, the link 132is coupled to the flexible film 136 without extending through theflexible film 136, and the flexible film 136 is coupled to the seconddiaphragm 116 such that the flexible film 136 is disposed between thelink 132 and the second diaphragm 116. Similarly, FIG. 16 show the link132 coupled to the flexible film 136 without extending through the film136, but not limited to having the link 132 coupled directly to thesecond diaphragm 116. The link 132 is coupled to any one of thediaphragms 108, 116, and 302 as previously disclosed. An adhesive, glueor epoxy may be used to couple the film to the link and to the diaphragmin these and other embodiments described herein.

In some embodiments, the acoustic seal 128 has additional supportcomponents. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the acoustic seal128 has an inner support 1300 shaped as a ring or disc located betweenthe link 132 and the formed fold 138. The acoustic seal 128 also has anouter support 1302 located between the flexible film 136 and the wallportion 130. The inner and outer supports 1300 and 1302 are made of anysuitable material, for example metal or plastic that is less flexiblethan the film 136 which they support. In some embodiments, the acousticseal 128 has one or more openings 1304 with a high acoustic impedanceformed by piercing the flexible film 136, for example, to allow air toflow therethrough. Openings 1304 may be used as a feature in anyacoustic seal to modify the acoustic response of the balanced armatureor to allow the relief of pressure buildup that would occur in sealedback volumes due to temperature change or barometric pressure change.

In FIG. 5, the acoustic seal 128 is formed by a gel 500 between thefirst front volume 110 and the second back volume 120, with the link 132extending through the gel 500. The gel 500 may be any suitable materialhaving a low stiffness so that it will have a low impact on the overallsystem stiffness but still solid enough to stay in place and maintain atleast a partial seal.

In FIGS. 6-7, a ferrofluid 600 forms the acoustic seal 128 between thefirst front volume 110 and the second back volume 120. A ferrofluid is aviscous fluid like oil having magnetic particles or dust suspendedtherein. The ferrofluid 600 provides the acoustic seal 128 by covering aportion of the yoke 158 that extends over the opening 134 whilepermitting the link to actuate the diaphragm without adversely affectingits compliance. The link 132 extends through the ferrofluid 600, and oneor more nonmagnetic dams (such as nonmagnetic dams 700 and 702 in FIG.7) are attached to the yoke 158 and/or the magnet 162 to help controlthe positioning of the ferrofluid 600.

In FIGS. 8-9 and 15, the film forming the acoustic seal 128 is flat orsubstantially planar. In some examples, the flat seal is formed using aresilient material. In some examples, the flat seal is formed using anelastomeric material with a soft modulus. In some examples, the softmodulus is defined by an effective Young's modulus in the range of 0.01to 0.1 MPa. In some implementations, a carrier 900 is disposed betweenthe film and the wall portion 130, in which the carrier 900 is made ofany suitable material, for example metal or plastic, that enablesattachment of the film to the wall portion 130 while maintaining thefilm in a predetermined configuration. For example, film may crimp orwrinkle when being attached to the wall portion 130 if mishandled. Toprevent such crimping or wrinkling, the film is first attached to thecarrier 900 to ensure that it is in the uncrimped and unwrinkledconfiguration, after which the carrier 900 is attached to the wallportion 130. In some examples, the carrier 900 is made of the samematerial or has similar physical properties as the inner support 1300and/or the outer support 1302. In FIGS. 8-9, glue 902 is provided tobond with the film and to at least partially close an acoustic pathbetween the second front volume 118 and the second back volume 120.

In FIG. 10, the acoustic seal 128 is formed from a tubular flexible film1000 that is coupled with the wall portion 130 and to the firstdiaphragm 108 to which the link 132 is also coupled. The tubularflexible film 1000 is aligned with the opening 134 in the wall portion130 such that the link 132 extends through the tubular flexible film1000. The tubular film 1000 forms an acoustic coupling 200 between thefirst back volume 112 and the second back volume 120 while maintainingthe acoustic seal 128 between the first front volume 110 and theneighboring back volumes 112 and 120. In other examples, the glue 139may completely block any opening in the diaphragm 108 thereby blockingany acoustic path between the back volumes. In some examples, thetubular film 1000 is formed from the same material as the flexible partof the first diaphragm 108 such that the tubular film 1000 is anextension of the first diaphragm 108 that attaches, for example using aglue, to the wall portion 130 to provide the acoustic seal 128.

In FIGS. 11-12, the acoustic seal 128 is formed around a link post 1104which is stiffer than the link 132 in all directions, including in therotational degrees of freedom, such that the first diaphragm 108 movesin a piston-like manner with no loss of motion through the link post1104. The link post 1104 allows for a stronger coupling between thediaphragms 108. There is no link between the armature 126 and the seconddiaphragm 116 in this embodiment, the second diaphragm 116 is directlyattached to the armature 126. In other examples the stiff portion of thediaphragm 116 may be formed exclusively by a shape integrated into thearmature 126 and there is no need for a separate stiff diaphragmcomponent 116.

In FIG. 16, the link 132 does not pass through the acoustic seal 128,which in this example is the flexible film 136, but instead the flexiblefilm 136 elastically extends toward the diaphragm 108 (or 116 or 302, assuitable) after which the coupling member 139 attaches the diaphragm 108and the link 132 to the flexible film 136. As shown, the coupling member139 is applied to both sides of the flexible film 136.

In FIGS. 17-19, the acoustic seal 128 is formed in the opening 134 inthe wall portion 130. Specifically, in FIG. 17, the opening 134 ispartially covered by a seal body member 1702 (also referred to as asleeve because the configuration surrounds the link 132) that has anunobstructed portion 1700 through which the link 132 passes. Theunobstructed portion 1700 forms the acoustic seal 128 because thesurface area or diameter of the unobstructed portion 1700 issubstantially smaller than the surface area or diameter of the opening134, thus enabling high acoustic impedance at the unobstructed portion1700. The embodiment of FIG. 17 allows the opening 1700 to be alignedwith the location of the drive rod thereby reducing tolerance stack-up,and it also decouples the sleeve length from the wall thickness,permitting use of a longer sleeve for a higher impedance seal. In FIG.18, the opening 134 in the wall portion 130 has a smaller surface areaor diameter than the opening 134 as previously disclosed in otherembodiments. As such, the opening 134 is sufficiently small to enablehigh acoustic impedance, thereby forming the acoustic seal 128 therein.In some examples, grease is added at the unobstructed portion 1700 inFIGS. 17 and 19 or at the opening 134 in FIG. 18 to further increase theacoustic impedance of the acoustic seal 128 formed.

In FIG. 19, a flat or substantially planar flexible seal is formed atthe opening 134 by attaching, for example, the flexible film 136 withoutthe fold 138 to the wall portion 130. Unlike in FIGS. 8-9 and 15 whichalso disclose a flat or substantially planar seal, the flexible film 136in FIG. 19 is not glued or otherwise attachably coupled to the link 132which passes through the unobstructed portion 1700 in the flexible film136. Nevertheless, the size, surface area, or diameter of theunobstructed portion 1700 is sufficiently small to enable high acousticimpedance at the unobstructed portion 1700, thereby forming an effectiveacoustic seal without using any glue or other coupling members 139.

Although different types and examples of the acoustic seal(s) areexplained above, it should be understood that none of the acoustic sealsare specific to the examples of the acoustic receiver in which they areshown to be implemented by the figures, and that the acoustic seals areinterchangeable between different examples of the acoustic receiver. Insome examples, different types of the acoustic seals may be employed ina single acoustic receiver, as deemed suitable. In some cases, thediaphragms and the acoustic seal(s) as employed in the aforementionedembodiments have the benefit of increasing the base output of thereceiver compared to a conventional acoustic receiver with a singlediaphragm, while maintaining the high frequency performance.

In some examples, such as in FIGS. 1-12 and 20, the motor 124 is locatedin either a front volume or a back volume and includes the armature 126(also known as a reed) and a pair of magnets 160, 162 disposed at a yoke158, as well as one or more coil 156 disposed at a bobbin 154. In FIGS.1-3 and 5, the motor 124 is located in the first back volume 112. InFIG. 4, the motor 124 is located in the second front volume 118. InFIGS. 6-7, 10, and 20, the motor 124 is located in the second backvolume 120. In FIGS. 8-9, the motor 124 is located in the first frontvolume 110. In FIGS. 11-12, the motor 124 is located in the second backvolume.

The motor 124 is powered via wires (not shown) extending therefrom andleading to an electrical terminal or interface 152 of the receiver 100.In other examples, the coil 156 may be disposed around the armature 126without the bobbin 154, and instead the coil 156 is attached to thehousing 102 or the yoke 158 for support. The first diaphragm 108 and thesecond diaphragm 116 are unhinged and exhibit pistonic action. The yoke158 holds the pair of magnets 160 and 162 between which a portion of thearmature 126 movably extends. The armature 126 is configured to deflectrelative to the magnets 160, 162 in response to the application of anelectrical signal to the coil 156. U-shaped armatures are shown butother armatures such as E-shaped and M-shaped armatures are known in theart and may be used alternatively.

In FIGS. 1, 6-10, and 20, the first link 132 which extends from one sideof the armatures 126 couples the first diaphragm 108 with the armature126, and the second link 146 extending from the opposite side of thearmature 126 from the first link 132 couples the second diaphragm 116with the armature 126. In some examples, the spring of the second linkcombined with the mass of the diaphragm form a resonator capable ofcreating resonance at higher frequencies. In FIGS. 1, 6, 10 and 20, thefirst link 132 and the second link 146 may be formed of a single part orseparate parts. In FIG. 8, separate parts are used for the links 132 and146. In FIGS. 2-5, the single link 132 couples the diaphragms 108 and116 together without the aforementioned second link 146. In FIG. 8, thesecond link 146 originates from the first diaphragm 108 rather than thearmature 126. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the link 132 is replaced with the linkpost 1104.

Any link as shown herein is capable of being coupled with thecorresponding diaphragm(s) via the coupling member 139, which includesany suitable means to attach two components together. The couplingmember may be an adhesive, epoxy or solvent dissolved urethane, vinylacetate, cyanoacrylate, or other glue. In some examples, the couplingmember 139 is a synthetic adhesive compound including, but not limitedto, vinyl acetate or any other suitable polymer. In some examples, thelink does not use any coupling member 139 and therefore does not couplewith the diaphragm.

In some of the examples, the front volume is coupled with acorresponding sound outlet port through which the acoustic signalsgenerated in the front volume pass through, whereas the back volume iscoupled with a back volume vent through which air from the atmosphere isallowed to pass. Generally, any small back volume requires the pressurerelieved from within the volume, so a vent is typically used. In someexamples, the vent is coupled with the external atmosphere, whereas inother examples, the vent is coupled with a larger volume from within thereceiver.

FIGS. 1-2 and 6 show a nozzle 150 formed in or attached to the housing102 which couples with at least one of the sound outlet ports (forexample, the first sound outlet port 114 and/or the second sound outletport 122). In these figures, the nozzle 150 is acoustically coupled withboth of the sound outlet ports 114 and 122, which are directed towardthe nozzle 150 such that any acoustic signal propagating from the soundoutlet ports 114 and 122 is propagated from the nozzle 150 into the earcanal. In FIGS. 3, 8, and 20, the sound outlet ports 114 and 122 as wellas a third sound outlet port 312 are all disposed on the housing 102such that they face the same direction.

In FIGS. 1, 4-6, 8, and 20, a back volume vent 144 is shown to becoupled with the first back volume 112. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1and 6, the second back volume 120 is not coupled with a back volumevent. However, in some examples, the second back volume 120 is coupledwith a back volume vent similar to a second back volume vent 314 asshown in FIG. 3, 4, or 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, the balanced armature receiver includes the housinghaving the first internal volume and the second internal volume. Thefirst diaphragm separates the first internal volume into the first frontvolume and the first back volume. The first front volume has the firstsound outlet port. The second diaphragm separates the second internalvolume into the second front volume and the second back volume. Thesecond front volume has the second sound outlet port. The wall portionseparates the first front volume from the second back volume. The motoris disposed at least partially inside the housing. The motor includesthe armature mechanically coupled to the first diaphragm and to thesecond diaphragm. The acoustic seal is located at least partially in theopening of the wall between the first front volume and the second backvolume. The acoustic seal accommodates the link coupling of the armatureto the first diaphragm. The acoustic impedance of the acoustic seal isgreater than an acoustic impedance of the first sound outlet port over arange of human detectable frequencies. In some examples, the first backvolume is vented to an exterior of the housing. In some examples, thefirst back volume is acoustically coupled to the second back volume.

In FIG. 2, the first back volume 112 and the second back volume 120 areacoustically coupled via a path that defines an acoustic coupling 200,which enables the coupled back volumes 112 and 120 to vent using eachother's volume instead of using the atmosphere as shown in some of theother embodiments. In some examples, a damper 202 is placed or formed ina path defining the coupling 200. As shown herein, a damper is anysuitable component that that may be sued to tune the acoustic impedancecharacteristic of a port or path.

As shown in FIG. 2, the balanced armature receiver includes the housinghaving the first internal volume and the second internal volume. Thefirst diaphragm separates the first internal volume into the first frontvolume and the first back volume. The first front volume has the firstsound outlet port. The second diaphragm separates the second internalvolume into the second front volume and the second back volume. Thesecond front volume has the second sound outlet port. The wall portionseparates the first front volume from the second back volume. The motoris disposed at least partially inside the housing. The motor includesthe armature mechanically coupled to the first diaphragm and the seconddiaphragm. The acoustic seal is located at least partially in theopening of the wall between the first front volume and the second backvolume. The acoustic seal accommodates the link coupling the armature tothe second diaphragm. The acoustic impedance of the acoustic seal isgreater than the acoustic impedance of the first sound outlet port overthe range of human detectable frequencies. In some examples, the firstback volume is acoustically coupled to the second back volume. In someexamples, the first back volume is vented to the exterior of thehousing.

In FIG. 3, the second back volume vent 314 is coupled with the secondback volume 120 and a third back volume vent 316 is coupled with a thirdback volume 306, whereas the back volume vents 314 and 316 are connectedto the external atmosphere such that air is allowed to freely passthrough the back volume vents 314 and 316 while the receiver 100 isactivated. In some examples, the first back volume 112 lacks the firstback volume vent 144. In some examples, the first back volume 112 isvented through the first back volume vent 144 as explained above,although not shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the balanced armature receiver includes the housinghaving the first internal volume, the second internal volume, and thethird internal volume. The first diaphragm separates the first internalvolume into the first front volume and the first back volume. The firstfront volume has the first sound outlet port. The second diaphragmseparates the second internal volume into the second front volume andthe second back volume. The second front volume has the second soundoutlet port. The third diaphragm separates the third internal volumeinto the third front volume and the third back volume. The third frontvolume has the third sound outlet port. The first wall portion separatesthe first front volume from the second back volume. The second wallportion separates the second front volume from the third back volume.The motor is disposed at least partially inside the housing. The motorincludes the armature mechanically coupled to the first diaphragm, thesecond diaphragm, and the third diaphragm. The first acoustic seal islocated at least partially in the opening of the wall between the firstfront volume and the second back volume. The first acoustic sealaccommodates the first link coupling the armature to the firstdiaphragm. The second acoustic seal is located between the second frontvolume and the third back volume. The second acoustical sealaccommodates the second link coupling the armature to the thirddiaphragm. The acoustic impedance of the acoustic seal is greater thanthe acoustic impedance of the first sound outlet port over the range ofhuman detectable frequencies. The first or second acoustic seal alsoincludes the flexible film extending at least partially across theopening of the corresponding first or second wall portion.

In some examples, the first or second link extends through the flexiblefilm of the corresponding first or second acoustic seal and is adheredto the flexible film and to the corresponding diaphragm. In someexamples, the first or second link is coupled to the flexible film ofthe corresponding first or second acoustic seal without extendingthrough the flexible film. The flexible film is coupled to thecorresponding diaphragm. The flexible film is disposed between thecorresponding first or second link and the corresponding diaphragm. Insome examples, the first or second acoustic seal includes the gel atleast partially obstructing the opening of the corresponding first orsecond wall portion. The corresponding first or second link extendsthrough the gel. In some examples, the second back volume and the thirdback volume are vented to an exterior of the housing. In some examples,the second back volume and the third back volume are vented to theexterior of the housing.

In FIG. 4, the first sound outlet port 114 includes a path formed by theterminal 152 and one or more portions of the housing 102, where the pathdefines an acoustic coupling 400 between the first front volume 110 andthe second front volume 118. The first back volume 112 is vented via thefirst back volume vent 144 and the second back volume 120 is also ventedvia the second back volume vent 314. The second sound outlet port 122 isformed to couple the second front volume 118, so in effect, the secondfront volume 118 is acoustically coupled with both of the sound outletports 114 and 122.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of openings in the housing 102 such that eachof the openings is capable of defining the second sound outlet port 122.Also, in addition to the first damper 202 placed at the first backvolume vent 144, a second damper 502 is introduced to be placed at thesecond back volume vent 314. In some examples, a damper also preventsexternal contaminants from entering the housing. An opening 504 in thearmature 126 is also introduced to allow the link 132 to passtherethrough. In examples where dampers are used over back vents, thedampers may be used to produce a favorable bass response of thereceiver. For example, the dampers may freely allow the passage air atvery low frequencies but attenuate the passage of air at higherfrequencies; this may be used to produce elevated low-end bass output,for example below 200 Hz, while not also increasing significantly themid-range output of the balanced armature, for example between 200 Hzand 2000 Hz.

FIGS. 8-9 show an “open face” configuration for the second sound outletport 122, where the second sound outlet port 122 is defined by an entireside of the housing 102. That is, instead of forming an aperture on aside of the housing 102 to define the second sound outlet port 122, theentire side of the housing 102, which in the example shown is the bottomside of the housing 102, is removed. Therefore, the perimeter of thesound outlet port 122 is effectively the perimeter of the housing 102that supports the second diaphragm 116.

In FIG. 10, the coupling member 139, for example glue, that is used toattach the first diaphragm 108 to the link 132 does not completely coveran opening formed in the first diaphragm 108, which allows for anacoustic path to be formed between the back volumes 112 and 120,defining an acoustic coupling 1002 therebetween. Because the backvolumes 112 and 120 are acoustically coupled, there is no back volumevent for either of the back volumes 112 and 120. In some examples, aback volume vent is formed for one or more of the back volumes 112 or120. In some embodiments including a back vent, the coupling member 139may completely block the acoustic path between the back volumes 112 and120.

In FIGS. 11-12, the second diaphragm 116 is directly coupled to thearmature 126 without using a link, and a wall portion 131 includesprotrusions or inner walls 1100 that seals each of the front volumes 110and 118 from the corresponding back volume 112 or 120, respectively.Therefore, the first back volume 112 is acoustically coupled with thesecond back volume 112, while the front volumes 110 and 118 areacoustically coupled with the corresponding sound outlet ports 114 and112, respectively. Also shown is a vent opening 1102 for the backvolumes 112 and 120. In some examples, the second diaphragm 116 isformed exclusively from the armature 126.

In FIG. 20, the first back volume 112 is vented via the first backvolume vent 144, and the third back volume 306 is vented via the thirdback volume vent 314, whereas the second back volume 120 is shown to benot vented. In some examples, the second back volume 120 is vented via avent similar to the second back volume vent 314 as shown in FIG. 3, 4,or 8.

As shown in FIG. 20, the balanced armature receiver includes the housinghaving the first internal volume, the second internal volume, and thethird internal volume. The first diaphragm separates the first internalvolume into the first front volume and the first back volume. The firstfront volume has the first sound outlet port. The second diaphragmseparates the second internal volume into the second front volume andthe second back volume. The second front volume has the second soundoutlet port. The third diaphragm separates the third internal volumeinto the third front volume and the third back volume. The third frontvolume has the third sound outlet port. The first wall portion separatesthe first front volume from the second back volume. The second wallportion separates the first back volume from the third front volume. Themotor is disposed at least partially inside the housing. The motorincludes the armature mechanically coupled to the first diaphragm, thesecond diaphragm, and the third diaphragm by one or more links. In someembodiments, the receiver includes a single link coupling the armatureto the diaphragms. In some embodiments, the receiver includes two links.In some embodiments, the receiver includes more than two links. Thefirst acoustic seal is located at least partially in the opening of thewall between the first front volume and the second back volume. Thefirst acoustic seal accommodates the mechanical coupling of the armatureto the first diaphragm. The second acoustic seal is located between thefirst back volume and the third front volume. The second acoustical sealaccommodates the mechanical coupling of the armature to the thirddiaphragm. The acoustic impedance of the acoustic seal is greater thanthe acoustic impedance of the first sound outlet port over the range ofhuman detectable frequencies.

In some examples, the flexible film is coupled to both the correspondingfirst or second wall portion and to the corresponding link. In someexamples, the corresponding link extends through the flexible film andis adhered to the flexible film and to the corresponding diaphragm. Insome examples, the corresponding link is coupled to the flexible filmwithout extending through the flexible film. The flexible film iscoupled to the corresponding diaphragm. The flexible film is disposedbetween the corresponding link and the corresponding diaphragm. In someexamples, the first or second acoustic seal includes the gel orferrofluid at least partially obstructing the opening of thecorresponding first or second wall portion, and the corresponding linkextending through the gel or ferrofluid. In some examples, the firstback volume and the second back volume are vented to an exterior of thehousing.

In some examples as disclosed herein, hinges are positioned on thediaphragms to allow for the diaphragms to move in response to themovement of the armature to which they are coupled. Specifically, FIGS.1-2, 4-6, and 10 show two hinges: the first hinge 140 located on thefirst diaphragm 108 and the second hinge 142 located on the seconddiaphragm 116. In FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 6, the first and second hinges 140and 142 are both positioned distally from the link 132 or 146. That is,the link 132 or 146 is located proximate to one end of the diaphragm 108or 116 whereas the hinges 140 and 142 are located proximate to the otherend of the diaphragm 108 or 116 opposite from the link 132 or 142.Therefore, the hinges 140 and 142 are positioned on the same side of thelink 132 or 146.

In FIGS. 5 and 10, the first and second hinges 140 and 142 arepositioned on opposing sides of the link 132 that couples them together.In FIG. 5 for example the second hinge 142 is located on the left sidewhereas the first hinge 140 is located on the right side.). The mountingpoint of the link 132 to the diaphragm 116 is relatively close to thehinge 142, which means for small motions of the link 132 the averagemotion of this “levered” diaphragm 142 will be higher than for manytraditional implementations. In some examples, the levered diaphragm iscapable of producing acoustic signals with greater amplitudes than anyother diaphragm in the receiver.

FIGS. 3, 8, and 20 show three hinges: the first hinge 140, the secondhinge 142, and a third hinge 318 located on the third diaphragm 302. InFIGS. 3 and 20, all three hinges 140, 142, and 318 are located on thesame side relative to the link 132 and/or 146. In FIG. 8, the thirdhinge 318 is positioned on the opposite side of the second link 146 fromthe other two hinges 140 and 142 (e.g., the third hinge 318 is locatedon the left side whereas the hinges 140 and 142 are located on the rightside)). Furthermore, the third diaphragm 302 is not in line with theother diaphragms 108 and 116. Additionally, the positions of one or moreof the hinges or the links are adjustable to determine the lever ratiowhen in the “levered” configuration due to some of the diaphragms havingopposing pivots.

In some examples, there are no hinges located on any of the armatures.For example, FIGS. 11 and 12 show no hinges at all, and instead thediaphragms 108 and 116 are coupled together via the link post 1104 thatis stiffer than the link 132 or 146 and allows for a stronger couplingbetween the two diaphragms 108 and 116.

Furthermore, the size of each diaphragm can be adjusted to make acertain diaphragm (or diaphragms) to be capable of producing greatervolume displacement than the other diaphragm(s), or to enhance theoutput thereof. For example, in FIGS. 2 and 5, the second diaphragm 116can achieve greater volume displacement than the first diaphragm 108because the second diaphragm 116 is larger in size than the firstdiaphragm 108. Similarly, in FIGS. 4 and 10, the first diaphragm 108 islarger, and therefore can achieve greater volume displacement than thesecond diaphragm 116. In FIG. 3, the second diaphragm 116 and the thirddiaphragm 302 are larger than the first diaphragm 108. In FIG. 8, thethird diaphragm 302 is larger than the other diaphragms 108 and 116.

In some examples, the receiver housing (such as the housing 102) isformed as a single monolithic component, whereas in other examples, thehousing is formed by coupling together two or more separatesubcomponents. Different means of coupling may be employed as suitable,for example gluing, clamping, fastening, attaching, welding, etc. In theexamples where two subcomponents are involved, the subcomponents may bereferred to a cover and a cup. In some examples, the cover at leastpartially defines one or more front volume, and the cup at leastpartially defines one or more back volume. In some examples, the coverat least partially defines one or more sound outlet port, and the cup atleast partially defines one or more back volume vent. In some examples,the cover or the cup is also formed by coupling together two or moreseparate subcomponents. For example, the cup has one subcomponent thatdefines the sidewalls and another subcomponent that defines the bottombase portion. Furthermore, the components that are referred to as the“wall” of the housing can also be referred to as a “cover”, or viceversa, in different embodiments.

While the present disclosure and what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof has been described in a manner that establishespossession by the inventors and that enables those of ordinary skill inthe art to make and use the same, it will be understood and appreciatedthat there are many equivalents to the exemplary embodiments disclosedherein and that myriad modifications and variations may be made theretowithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure, which isto be limited not by the exemplary embodiments but by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A balanced armature receiver comprising: ahousing having a first internal volume and a second internal volume; afirst diaphragm separating the first internal volume into a first frontvolume and a first back volume, the first front volume having a firstsound outlet port; a second diaphragm separating the second internalvolume into a second front volume and a second back volume, the secondfront volume having a second sound outlet port; a wall portionseparating the first front volume from the second back volume; a motordisposed at least partially inside the housing, the motor including anarmature mechanically coupled to the first diaphragm and to the seconddiaphragm; and an acoustic seal located at least partially in an openingof the wall portion between the first front volume and the second backvolume, the acoustic seal accommodating a link coupling of the armatureto the first diaphragm, wherein an acoustic impedance of the acousticseal is greater than an acoustic impedance of the first sound outletport over a range of human detectable frequencies.
 2. The receiver ofclaim 1, the acoustic seal comprising a flexible film extending at leastpartially across the opening of the wall portion.
 3. The receiver ofclaim 2, the flexible film is a substantially planar and resilientmaterial.
 4. The receiver of claim 2, the flexible film having a formedfold.
 5. The receiver of claim 2, the flexible film coupled to both thewall portion and to the link.
 6. The receiver of claim 2, the linkextending through the flexible film, the link adhered to the flexiblefilm and to the diaphragm.
 7. The receiver of claim 2, the link coupledto the flexible film without extending through the flexible film, andthe flexible film coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the flexible film isdisposed between the link and the diaphragm.
 8. The receiver of claim 1,the acoustic seal comprising a gel at least partially obstructing theopening of the wall portion, and the link extending through the gel. 9.The receiver of claim 1, the acoustic seal comprising a ferrofluid atleast partially obstructing the opening of the wall portion, and thelink extending through the ferrofluid.
 10. The receiver of claim 1, thefirst back volume acoustically coupled to the second back volume orvented to an exterior of the housing.
 11. A balanced armature receivercomprising: a housing having a first internal volume and a secondinternal volume; a first diaphragm separating the first internal volumeinto a first front volume and a first back volume, the first frontvolume having a first sound outlet port; a second diaphragm separatingthe second internal volume into a second front volume and a second backvolume, the second front volume having a second sound outlet port; awall portion separating the first front volume from the second backvolume; a motor disposed at least partially inside the housing, themotor including an armature mechanically coupled to the first diaphragmand the second diaphragm; and an acoustic seal located at leastpartially in an opening of the wall portion between the first frontvolume and the second back volume, the acoustic seal accommodating alink coupling the armature to the second diaphragm, wherein an acousticimpedance of the acoustic seal is greater than an acoustic impedance ofthe first sound outlet port over a range of human detectablefrequencies.
 12. The receiver of claim 11, the acoustic seal comprisinga flexible film extending at least partially across the opening of thewall portion.
 13. The receiver of claim 12, the flexible film is asubstantially planar and resilient material.
 14. The receiver of claim12, the flexible film having a formed fold.
 15. The receiver of claim12, the flexible film coupled to both the wall portion and to the link.16. The receiver of claim 12, the link extending through the flexiblefilm and adhered to the flexible film and to the diaphragm.
 17. Thereceiver of claim 12, the link coupled to the flexible film withoutextending through the flexible film, and the flexible film coupled tothe diaphragm, wherein the flexible film is disposed between the linkand the diaphragm.
 18. The receiver of claim 11, the acoustic sealcomprising a gel at least partially obstructing the opening of the wallportion, and the link extending through the gel.
 19. The receiver ofclaim 11, the acoustic seal comprising a ferrofluid at least partiallyobstructing the opening of the wall portion, and the link extendingthrough the ferrofluid.
 20. The receiver of claim 11, the first backvolume acoustically coupled to the second back volume or vented to anexterior of the housing.